These 5 National Parks In Meghalaya Are Absolute Divine And A Wildlife Lovers Paradise

The word Meghalaya translates into the ‘abode of the cloud’ as the state is blessed with breathtaking clouds and other bounties of nature like mesmerizing waterfalls, picturesque mountains besides some great National Parks in Meghalaya.

There are so many sanctuaries and some top National Parks in Meghalaya that take care of the nature and provide a thrilling experience to the tourists. Meghalaya National Parks are known all over the world to offer an exotic range of rare flora and fauna other than a variety of orchids, exotic fruits and vegetables along with medicinal plants.

The place is known for receiving the highest amount of rainfall in the entire country which is why the people of the state are blessed with a lush green atmosphere and beautiful waterfalls. Wondrous waterfalls, picturesque hills, caves and wildlife sanctuaries are some of the top attractions of the state.

5 Best National Parks In Meghalaya

If you are a wildlife and nature lover, you must definitely give a visit to these national parks for its picturesque hills, caves, waterfalls and many more. So, here’s the list of national parks in Meghalaya that are a must visit.

1. Nokrek National Park

The Nokrek National Park is situated around 45 kilometres away from the city of Tura, which is in the Garo hills. The park is well known for sheltering a rare species namely, Hollock Gibbons. One can find a vast number of wild elephants in the park and the park is well known to be the land of the ‘ape-man’ who is known to pay frequent visits. Besides the exuberant fauna of the park, it is also home to various kinds of useful plants that are particularly found in this region. The place is famous for its well kept forest tracks along with the beautiful ancient limestone caves that can be found here.

Entry fee: The entry fees is Rs. 40 per person.
Location: West Garo hills district, Meghalaya, India
Best time to visit: Oct- May. Open on all days during the year
Top attractions near the park: Simsang waterfalls, Wachi Falls, Nokrek Maidan, The Garo Hills, Limestone Siju Caves, Rongbang Dare Waterfalls

Must Read: 19 Places To Visit Near Shillong For Experiencing Meghalaya’s True Beauty

2. Balpakram National Park

The Balpakram National Park is quite famous for its immense archaeological and geological value. The park is the breeding ground of leopards, langurs, boars and the rarely found, golden cat besides being also known for the unique red panda. The literal meaning of the word ‘balpakram’ is ‘a place where there are perpetual winds’. It is located at a distance of about 167 kilometres from Tura.

Entry fee: There is no entry fees.
Location: Tura, Meghalaya, India
Timing: Morning 7 AM to Evening 6 PM
Best time to visit: Between October to March

Suggested Read: 16 Scenic Waterfalls in Meghalaya That’ll Leave Your Mesmerized

3. Siju Bird Sanctuary

The Siju Bird Sanctuary is situated close to the Simsang river that flows besides the park. A good variety of rare and endangered bird species like the Siberian ducks can be found near the river which makes for an enigmatic view to look at. This bird sanctuary in particular is a must visit as you will not find any other sanctuary like this which caters only to the birds. A few more birds that you can find here are the grey hornbill and the peacock pheasant.

Entry fee: The entry fees depends on the nationality of the person.
Location: South Garo hills district, Meghalaya, India
Best time to visit: Onset of winter is considered to be the ideal time for visiting Siju Bird Sanctuary.
Top attractions near the park: The Garo Hills, Nokrek biosphere Reserve, Balpakram National park

Suggested Read: 10 Best Hotels And Resorts In Shillong That Will Entice You To Explore Meghalaya!

4. Nongkhyllem Sanctuary

The Nongkhyllem Sanctuary spreads over an area of about 29 square kilometres and is famous as a breeding ground to various rare species that include reptiles, animals, birds and other fauna. The Sanctuary is situated in the Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya and you will find here, a wide variety of fauna like Bengal tigers, black bears, leopards and a lot more
other animals like the necked hornbill and the brown hornbill bird that are at the brink of becoming extinct.

Ideal for: Bird Watching
Location: West Garo hills district, Meghalaya, India
Best time to visit: March or April is considered to be the ideal time for visiting Nongkhyllem Sanctuary.
Top attractions near the park: Umiam Lake

Suggested Read: The Ever Growing Living Root Bridges, Meghalaya – A Nature’s Marvel In The Northeast

5. Baghmara Reserve Forest

The Baghmara Reserve Forest is situated amid the South Garo Hills and is very close to the town, Bhagmara. You will get to discover a wide variety of flora and fauna in this forest which includes wild elephants, langurs, rare pitcher plants along with some wild flowers. Also, you will witness the Garo community which lives here in their unique way.

Timing: From sunrise to sunset
Location: South Garo hills district, Meghalaya, India
Best time to visit: Winter months are considered to be the ideal time for visiting Nongkhyllem Sanctuary.
Top attractions near the park: Dombeware Lake, Imilchang Dare, Nengkong

Suggested Read: 20 Best Places To Visit In India During Christmas Holidays For A Grand Celebration

Best Places To Visit In Meghalaya

Here are some of our top suggestions on the top places to visit in Meghalaya:

1. Nohkalikai Waterfalls

Enjoying underneath the tallest waterfall in India which is the Nohkalikai Waterfalls, is going to give you a lot of fun. This amazing waterfall is about 1115 feet tall and is situated very near to the town of Cherrapunji. Also, you will be surprised to know that there are a lot of the stories behind this place which makes this place all the more interesting to visit. However, one must avoid visiting this place during the monsoon season.

Entry Fee: Rs. 10 per person
Location: East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya

Suggested Read: 35 Places To Visit In India In December

2. Double Decker Living Root Bridge

This very famous double decker living root bridge is astonishingly 3 kilometre long in distance and has a height of about 2400 feet. Undoubtedly, this bridge is said to be one of the top most places to visit in Meghalaya and it is a known fact that to be able to reach here, you have to take a trek into the rainforest of Cherrapunji that takes about 7 hours. You must definitely try walking on this famous bridge to make for a long lasting memory and an experience worth sharing with other people.

Location: Nongriat Village, Sohra.

Suggested Read: 30 Places To Visit In January In India

3. Umiam Lake

The Umiam lake is one vast lake that covers an area of about 221 square kilometres. Umiam Lake is most definitely an ideal place to visit if you are someone who seeks peace amidst natural environments. You can take some beautiful pictures of the lake especially during the sunset when the view is exceptionally enigmatic.
The lake is bounded by a range of picturesque hills and lush greenery which will transfer you to an entirely different world. Also, you can indulge in a variety of fun filled water activities like boating, skiing and many others.

Timing: Activities – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Location: North of Shillong

Suggested Read: 29 Monsoon Destinations In India That Will Make You Dance In The Rain

4. Mawlynnong Village

The Mawlynnong Village, also famously called as the “God’s own Garden” has won the title of being one of the most clean villages in the entire Asia, in the year 2003. The village is filled with lush greenery which will calm you down from within. Also, you get to discover the famous Mawlynnong Waterfall here, where you can spend a romantic moment with your loved one. This is considered to be one of the top most attractions of Meghalaya which you must visit.
The rare living root bridges of this town are definitely a sight worth paying a visit to. Other than the greenery of this village, visiting the place will prove to be an enriching experience for you. Also, there is a point called “Sky View Point” that lets you dig deeper into the landscape of Bangladesh and explore more heights.

Location: East Khasi Hills district.

Suggested Read: 20 Best Places To Visit In North India In Monsoon For That Much Needed Break

Tips For Visiting National Parks In Meghalaya

● Make sure that you are aware of the temperature conditions before visiting the region
● Ask about the detailed itinerary while booking a boathouse in the region
● Take prior permits from the forest department before you visit.
● Avoid visiting during monsoons.
● Always remember to carry woolen clothes.

Further Read: 7 Places With Highest Rainfall In India To Be Explored In This Lifetime

Meghalaya is a nature haven for all the people. There is so much that will leave you speechless because of the utmost beauty that every place has here. There are several places that can be visited to see the best of Meghalaya but visiting national parks in Meghalaya will take you to the rawest form of beauty where you can spot some exotic animals and birds. Interested? Plan your trip to Meghalaya with TravelTriangle and enjoy the wildside of the place.

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Surabhi Guleria

A travel enthusiast who believes in stopping every now and then to capture a moment in her camera. If not behind her lense in some new land, Surabhi can be found channeling her inner Nigella Lawson.